Given that "South Asia Sat" is planned at the same orbital location as GSAT-9 (ie 48°E), and is announced for a launch at the same period also with GSLV MkII, I tend to think it's another name for GSAT-9

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious South Asian satellite project , announced two years ago, is likely to miss the December deadline as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch GSLV Mark III that month.

"ISRO has been launching at least one satellite every month, so our calender is perennially packed and at this point of time it looks difficult to launch the South Asian satellite in December. It could get delayed by a month," a senior official said.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious South Asian satellite project , announced two years ago, is likely to miss the December deadline as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch GSLV Mark III that month.

"ISRO has been launching at least one satellite every month, so our calender is perennially packed and at this point of time it looks difficult to launch the South Asian satellite in December. It could get delayed by a month," a senior official said.

Without discrediting the GSLV MK-II that is supposed to launch SAARC satellite, I would rather want ISRO to go for launching LVM3 upon which ISRO's high ambition in emerging as a space power rests. No SAARC countries want this satellite except Srilanka. The more ISRO operationalizes LVM3, the better future it may have in launching commercial satellite. Instead of launching SAARC satellite, ISRO should launch a GSAT type communication satellite as ISRO is short of enough transponders.

Barring Afghanistan and Pakistan, all other SAARC countries have given their go-ahead to the project.

If I am not mistaken, only Srilanka has consented to use this satellite, the other countries specially Pakistan and even Bangladesh are lukewarm in using this satellite.

All the hostile neighbors of India such as Pakistan are very paranoid about India offering them some gift in the form of satellite. Even tiny neighbors like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives are less interested in India's offer. What puzzles me is why Mr. Modi is hell bent on offering satellite based help to these hostile neighbours in space based technology like telemedicine which is Indian Space Technology's forte.

These countries don't want India's puny satellite weighing up to maximum 2.2 ton when countries like Bangladesh could have their communication satellite communication satellite weighing about 3.5 ton manufactured by Thales Alenia Space and launched by Space X. Bangladesh even wants to lease some of its transponders to make foreign currency.

Trouble making tiny neighbour Nepal that has already gone to Chinese Fold, though initially welcomed India's satellite offer, later at the behest of its Master has kept mum about using theis SAARC Satellite. These hostile neighbors have rejected India's offer when ISRO's space achievement is well appreciated by other nations.

By the way Pakistan India's bęte noire has opted out of the project as India rejected its financial and so-called space technological help for this project and by hinting at security concerns like ISRO's likelihood of eves dropping on their space infrastructure. Just look at how impudent remark Pakistan made by promising to help ISRO in this project when ISRO has the capability of building 5.7 to Satellite and sending interplanetary mission such as Chandrayaan and MOM to Moon and Mars.

NEW DELHI: After Pakistan, which pulled out of India-mooted South Asian Satellite Project, Afghanistan too has shown no interest in the venture.

Sources said Afghanistan has tied up with a European company for its space-related needs.

"We had several rounds of discussions with Afghanistan. At one point they demand a particular thing and we have an agreement. In the next meeting, they would put forth some other demand.

"Another issue was the location of the satellite. The location where India and Afghanistan wanted to place their satellite in the orbit was more or less the same," an official involved in the negotiations said.

Sources said Bangladesh too is not very keen on the satellite project as it is set for launch of its own geostationary communications satellite Bang Bandhu-1.

However, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal are still keen on taking the project forward and talks are on with these countries.

In June 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked ISRO to develop the satellite which can be dedicated as a "gift" to the neighbouring countries. He had also made the announcement at the SAARC summit in Kathmandu.

"The objective of this project is to develop a satellite for the SAARC region that enables a full range of services to all our neighbours in the areas of telecommunications and broadcasting applications like television, DTH, tele-education and disaster management," the official added.

Since the beginning, Pakistan had insisted that the project be brought under the ambit of SAARC, which was opposed by India. Following this, Pakistan opted out of the project.

India has made it clear that it will go ahead with the project irrespective of whoever is on board.

NEW DELHI: Pakistan tried to throw a spanner in the works of the proposed SAARC satellite project conceived by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by raising several queries at the meeting last Monday in Delhi on the objectives of the satellite which it said could infringe on its security, officials said.

Although Pakistan eventually agreed to participate in the project, it said the satellite, which will be operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), could allow India to secure key data on Pakistan's sensitive infrastructure.

The satellite project is aimed at providing support in areas of telemedicine, weather forecasting and communication. The aim is to put the satellite into orbit by 2016.

The eight-member SAARC delegation raised doubts at the meet as to whether the satellite will enable India to get data on Pakistan's sensitive infrastructure. The delegation also raised questions on India's possible access to marine and ecological wealth data in South Asia via this satellite.

Pakistani officials, however, said that their country made many constructive proposals for intra-SAARC partnership in the area of space given Pakistan's experience and expertise in peaceful uses of space science.Pakistan hopes that the suggestions put forward by its delegation at the SAARC satellite project meeting will be given due consideration, the officials said.

The Pakistani delegates also gave an explanation at Monday's meeting on the satellites their country has launched so far.

The SAARC countries will now apply for registration before launching a satellite. The United Nations Outer Space Treaty's Article 6 mandates that every nation putting items in space must register it with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs. India is constructing the SAARC satellite and bearing all costs. The satellite will weigh around 2,000 kg and will be launched from Sriharikota.

Modi had first proposed this satellite last year as India's gift to SAARC. He mentioned the satellite in SAARC Summit and later, in his address to the Sri Lankan Parliament in March, he said, "Sri Lanka will take full benefit of India's satellite for the SAARC Region."

Thiruvananthapuram: India's ambitious South Asian satellite, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the benefit of SAARC members, will be launched in March next year, ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said on Tuesday.

The satellite was originally scheduled for launch in December this year.

Given that "South Asia Sat" is planned at the same orbital location as GSAT-9 (ie 48°E), and is announced for a launch at the same period also with GSLV MkII, I tend to think it's another name for GSAT-9

Glad to see that my deduction from last July has been confirmed today by Mr. Nageshwara Rao, Associate Director of ISRO

Quote from: article from The Hindu

The South Asian satellite will be a part of GSAT-9, which will be launched in March this year, M. Nageshwara Rao, Associate Director of ISRO said.

Now, the focus is on the launch of South Asian Satellite on board GSLV-Mark II by March end or by April first week, he said.

Proposed by the Prime Minister in November 2014 as a gift to the neighbouring countries, the South Asian satellite previously known as SAARC satellite project is for geo-spatial, communication and telemedicine applications. Last year, Pakistan opted out of the project. Apart from India, the satellite will benefit Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Now, the focus is on the launch of South Asian Satellite on board GSLV-Mark II by March end or by April first week, he said.

Proposed by the Prime Minister in November 2014 as a gift to the neighbouring countries, the South Asian satellite previously known as SAARC satellite project is for geo-spatial, communication and telemedicine applications. Last year, Pakistan opted out of the project. Apart from India, the satellite will benefit Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Has Afghanistan opted out too? When Pakistan opted out, I had read that the extra transponders would be beneficial for Afghanistan.

I assume your question is more like, how come both GSLV and LVM3 use the SLP and launch in Apr-2017 I think this may be due to the presence of two vehicle assembly buildings. The SLP has two buildings one the standard VAB and then just behind it SSAB (Solid Stage Assembly Building). Even during the last LVM3-X launch, ISRO stacked the rocket in SSAB. (Note: There is another Second VAB coming up near by SLP)

Expecting GSLV to fly first from SLP followed by LVM-3. I am not sure if they have tracks to interchange rockets in VAB and SSAB. Also, by April, stacking for the next PSLV mission may begin on the FLP.

It was a lack of foresightedness on ISRO's part not to have the Second Vehicle Assembly Building ready when ISRO had decide to to launch 9 to 12 launches every year. It should have been ready couple of years ago when ISRO resumed launching GSLV MK-II with indigenous cryogenic engine.

> 3 launches planned in March and April 2017> 31 March - GSLV-F09 (GSAT 9)> April - GSLV - Mk III (GSAT 19)> April - PSLV C38> Integration of GSLV-F09 currently progressing in VAB> Integration of GSLV - Mk III currently progressing in SSAB> Checks for GSLV - Mk III Boosters are in progress> In second week of March, PSLV C38 integration work will start from FLP

GSLV Mk-III launch could happen only after the GSLV Mk-II launch. GSLV Mk-II carrying SAARC satellite was scheduled for launch this month end, but ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) was unable to deliver the satellite within the stipulated time because of technical issues. This forced the ISRO to rework on its launch calendar. Now, the SAARC satellite launch is rescheduled for April end.